Plymouth is looking for a £70,000-a-year tourism boss

A SEARCH has been launched to appoint a £70,000 a year tourism boss for Plymouth.

Destination Plymouth is searching for a chief executive to be responsible for boosting the visitor economy which is worth £252 million.

The post holder will oversee the visitor plan to promote Plymouth on the national and international stage.

Matthew Cross will continue in his role as the head of city marketing at Destination Plymouth.

Over 30,000 jobs in the city rely on tourism and visitors and it is an important part of Plymouth's economy, with 3.5 million day visitors and 2.4 million staying visitors.

Council Leader Tudor Evans said: "We want super-charge the visitor economy. This is a critical role for the city and the sector is too important to the city's future to not have someone championing it constantly at the highest level and making sure Plymouth's name is heard everywhere.

"This is not just about tourists and day trippers – I want to really build upon the council's support for the two fantastic Business Improvement Districts enabling and supporting businesses to create new jobs and really making inward investors sit up and take notice."

The council says the new chief executive will be expected to become the figurehead for the visitor economy "to better articulate the voice of the sector to the council, the heart of the South West Local Economic Partnership and Government".

It also says the successful candidate will steer major strategic issues including marketing, digital strategy, events development, signage, major development projects and development of transport links.

Since Destination Plymouth was created in 2010 a visitor plan for Plymouth has been created to build on successful events in the city including, the America's Cup World Series and the British Art Show.

Destination Plymouth has also helped stage this summer's Marine City Festival and other major events, including the National Fireworks Championships..

Plymouth now has two Business Improvement Districts - the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership and the City Centre Company.

The search for the new chief executive comes as the council says it is realigning its Economic Development department to better to support the visitor plan with city events, tourist information, museums, arts and Mount Edgcumbe now part of the revamped department.

Duncan Currall, chair of Destination Plymouth, said: "The BID teams are doing an incredible job but they are very much focused on the day-to-day operational side. Given the scale of the industry in Plymouth and its importance, there needs to be a lead driving the plan."

The post will be funded in partnership by the city council and Destination Plymouth although it is hoped that the post will become self financing as income is generated from new events and through exploiting commercial opportunities.

Chris Arscott, chair of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said: "We've made huge strides over the last few years, with world class events and exciting businesses which are beginning to attract new visitors who would not have considered us a few years ago.

"We now have a plan, organisations to carry out the day-to-day work but we need an individual to keep the focus and champion our longer term goals."

Richard Davis, chair of the City Centre Company added: "I am delighted that Tudor has prioritised Marketing and supporting businesses within the BID areas.

"We want visitors to enjoy a seamless and well-managed visit, that exceed expectations."

Comments

And some of the 70k could be used to build a brandnew diving stage for kids on the seafront so they wouldn't have to tombstone.
The Tory council demolished the ricketty old stage, so come on Labour, it'll be one in the eye for them if you build a new one..:)

Another job for the boys. What a complete waste of money, there is already (and has been for many years) a person employed by the council to promote the city. If this person is not doing their job properly then sack them (as would normally happen within the private sector) and employ someone who is capable, not employing another person to do the same job.

Scrap the incinerator, bring back the airport and sack most of the councillors. From here Plymouth can START the tourist industry it deserves. There is SO MUCH Plymouth could do to attract a massive tourist influx - some money, foresight and decent planning without the corruption that has held Plymouth back for decades would do it!